Luxury Beauty Steals

Let’s face it, luxury beauty steals don’t come around every day - I’ve spotted some great ones that are making my head (& credit card) spin… and thought it rude not to share! (Full details, deadlines, code and links below) ps most are one day offers, so don’t hang around!

Beauty Confidential at House of Fraser HERE 

Until 5 May: Spend £50 on any beauty product and get £10 off these 30 beauty favourites. 

Here are my top 5 picks:
Bobbi Brown Soothing Cleansing Oil - my current go to for turning make-up removal into an absolute pleasure (yes really) // Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay in Place Flawless Concealer - feels light, lasts for ages, works well with a light base for Spring-Summer // YSL Touche Eclat Foundation - my fave dewy Summer base // Bobbi Brown Gel Liner - previously raved about here (I’ll be back for the Scotch bronze shade) // YSL Rouge Volupte Lipstick - great formula & as glam as lipstick gets.



CULT BEAUTY 15% off

Until 1st May midnight: 15% off when you spend £20+ using code UNLOCK at checkout HERE

I have so many Cult Beauty favourites it’s hard to know where to begin… I’ve lost track of how many people I’ve converted to the amazing Anastasia Brow Wiz and Covet Waterproof Liners. My latest love is the Studio 10 Visible Lift Face Definer for a very natural looking, sculpted, dewy look (expect to hear more on this soon!).


 

LANCOME HYPNOSE MASCARA £10 AT DEBENHAMS

1 May, for one day only: Lancôme Hypnose Mascara is available for less than half price, at just £10 HERE

This mascara comes in numerous formulas and is renowned for resulting in lash fabulosity; my top pick is Hypnose Star in Sparkling Brown - whaddya mean was I swayed by the glittery packaging?!


SARAH CHAPMAN SKINESIS FACIAL COLLECTION: TODAY’S QVC UK TSV

30 April (today!): £182 worth of skincare for £71 HERE

Skinesis by Sarah Chapman has been on my must-try radar for a while now and I couldn’t resist the chance to try the products at this price. Not cheap but you get 6 full sized products, which works out at just over a tenner each - what’s a girl to do?!  TIP: I couldn’t place my order online due to technical issues, which I’ve been told are now resolved, but if you want to order by phone, the freephone number is 0800 504030.

Gotta love a beauty bargain, gotta share the love! Any of these appeal to you?

SHOP THE POST

It’s the Little Things…

It’s always easy to get excited about the big players in our beauty regime, but often it’s The Little Things that are the real beauty saviours. I can survive without the latest Chanel lipstick, but I’d be lost without the basics: you’ll always find at least one of these mini essentials at my desk side, bed side or in my handbag.

I’ve raved about CND Solar Oil before - one of the best cuticle treatments out there - and this teeny bottle has lasted me forever. It’s paint-on formula means minimal mess and I usually apply it before reading at night, allowing the majority to sink in before I go to sleep. 

Lanolips Rose Lip Ointment lives between my desk drawer and handbag, as it’s slightly milky finish works beautifully with a smokey eye. For this look, I apply mine over a layer of nude lipliner such as Bare Minerals for definition and lasting power.

Aromatherapy Associates Deep Relax Balm makes the benefits of Deep Relax Oil mobile, with a gently scented blend of Sandalwood, Vetivert, Chamomile and a little Patchouli. This is great for dabbing on pulse points when travelling or at moments of unexpected stress - we all have them, right? 

Urban Decay Anti Ageing Eyeshadow Primer Potion locks eye shadow in place all day while tacking wrinkles. I find the texture slightly gritty on initial application, but it smooths out when blended, acting as a base for crease-free eye shadow all day long. It’s not dry or chalky unlike others I’ve tried, so colour applies evenly and easily on top.

Clinique Anti-Blemish Clinical Clearing Gel is perfect for dabbing on under make-up as it dries clear and zaps blemishes super fast without irritating my skin.



I’m sure there are others, but this little handful are my current most used. Which little beauties do you reach for on a daily basis?

SHOP THE POST

Clarisonic Aria: Review

I’ve heard people rave about Clarisonics for years, so couldn’t turn down the opportunity to try one for myself and see what all the fuss was about. To be honest I didn’t expect to be wow-ed by it, but the Clarisonic Aria has become a staple in my skincare routine over the past month. If you’re a fan of baby soft skin and gentle exfoliation, then I think you’ll love this too.

For anyone unfamiliar with the Clarisonic, it’s basically a motorised brush for deep cleansing the skin on your face. It doesn’t feel at all rough on my skin - the bristles are soft, smooth and more ticklish than anything - and the recommended use is for just one minute (it beeps to tell you to move on to the next section of your face, then stops after a minute). For this reason I was surprised that it had any effect at all, but it did. 

According to the manufacturer, it cleanses 6 times better than manual cleansing, helps reduce the appearance of pores, fine lines & wrinkles and cleanses so thoroughly that skin care products absorb better. I have to put my hands up and admit that this does leave my skin incredibly soft and refined - instantly. It sloughs away dead skin cells very thoroughly and can be used daily, though I only use it once or twice a week, as my skin is quite sensitive and I don’t want to over work it.

It’s also pink (or white, if that doesn’t do it for you), is lightweight, has its own little drying stand and cap and a really cool charging system with usb. It comes with a cleanser, though can be used with your own - always on wet skin - and I prefer to use a light, gel cleanser with mine (Ark or Clarins both work well). It works on 3 different settings (I use the lowest, most gentle one) and have been told by others who formerly used the Clarisonic Mia (such as Mostly Sunny Blog), that the Aria is much more gentle on sensitive skin.
 
It’s certainly a skincare investment, but you’ll never need to buy another exfoliator. 
The Clarisonic Aria, £155 is available HERE

Have you tried a Clarisonic - or does it appeal to you?

Bourjois Hands & Feet: Magic Nail Polish Remover

New in from Bourjois comes Magic Nail Polish Remover Hands & Feet, based on the same principle as the original nails only version in a pink tub, except this one does toes too. If you find nail polish removal a faff, need to do it on-the-go or travel a lot, then this is for you. 

For fingernails, dip your finger into the sponge filled tub (above left) and swirl. NB there is nail polish remover in the base of this tub, so don’t tip it upside down or it will spill out - yes I really did that once. For toes, tip the pot upside down before removing the lid to soak the mini sponge, then remove lid and swipe mini sponge in lid (above right) over toes to remove polish.

User Tips: Remove polish from big toes last to keep sponge as clean and polish-free as possible as you go along // Wipe off any excess polish from lid sponge onto a piece of kitchen roll or tissue // Remove lid sponge (it pops out) and rinse in water to remove any build up of polish.

While the original was a game changer for me when it came to mani removal, admittedly I don’t find it easier to remove a pedi with this than I do with regular remover and cotton pads. It does, however, have valid benefits…

Toe Benefits

• Ever tried to remove polish from your toes without smudging your mani? Pretty much impossible, until now.
• Notice your pedi/mani is chipped as you walk out the door and don’t have time to stop and remove it? Chuck this in your bag and do it on the run.
• Going on holiday and don’t want to take a full bottle of remover with you? Bingo.
• Manis need removed every few days, whereas pedis usually last for weeks, so this will be a keeper for quite a while.

Finger Benefits

• When you chip one nail and want to redo it without affecting the rest of your mani: pop it in the pot & swirl = clean nail without smudging other nails.
• To clean up post-mani, dip a small brush into the pot, wipe off excess remover on the sponge and clean any smudges around your nail edge with the brush. Much easier than using a full bottle of liquid remover.
• Toe Benefits Nos. 2 & 3 above also apply to nails.

These are my main uses for this product. I don’t tend to use it for every polish removal as it’s a slightly pricier option, but worth every penny for the convenience it brings and I honestly wouldn’t be without it. The fact that it now works on toes too is a bonus and it will be a staple in my suitcase this Summer.

Bourjois Magic Polish Remover Hands & Feet is currently exclusive to BeautyMART HERE and will roll out into other stores mid May.

Have you tried the original - and do you like the sound of this version?

ps I photographed the tub showing the French labelling; it’s English on the other side, as per below!

 

SHOP THE POST

Jo Malone London Rain: Rain & Angelica Review

Sometimes embracing what we can not change or control and injecting it with positivity just works… enter Jo Malone London Rain, an ode to London’s least favourite weather. Master Perfumer, Christine Nagel has romanticised the rainy climate and imbued it with a little magic, capturing the soft sparkle of morning dew through to wild rainstorms at midnight (always my favourite time to experience rain, preferably from under a cosy blanket!). 

I’ve postponed writing about this perfume in recent days as it just didn’t feel right under bright blue, sunny skies - and as a result, have come to associate the beautiful blue ombre bottle and uplifting scent with the feel-good vibe of Spring. Today I ventured into the garden to take pics (in the rain; those are actual rain drops on the bottle) and no doubt earned myself a Local Oddball title by my new neighbours. There is certainly nothing grey or dreary about this Limited Edition collection, also available in White Jasmine & Mint, Wisteria & Violet and Black Cedarwood & Juniper.

  

“Glassy beads of dew, awakening a London park at dawn. A revitalising scent, enlivened with herbaceous angelica and juicy lime on an earthy base of vetiver. Aqueous and clear.”

Rain & Angelica is probably as far from my usual Jo Malone fragrance (Dark Amber & Ginger Lily) as I could get. I’m not usually one for aquatic scents, but this one has a soft roundness that buffs away the sharp notes I usually veer from. It represents dewy London parks at early dawn, with rain accord, fresh lime, angelica and vetiver. Initially quite herbal and zesty, it’s the invigorating vetiver that draws me in the most. I find the scent energising on first spritz, softening into a gentle breath of fresh air every time I catch a whaft, which I personally find perfect for this time of year. It lasts fairly well on me, though I do find myself wanting to reapply throughout the day for that initial hit. I think Rain & Angelica is difficult to overdo and quite unisex… I’ve had lots of compliments on it, from children to perfumistas, and think it’s a crowd pleaser that retains individuality. If you’re a fan of refreshing, uplifting scents, then this one is definitely worth checking out.

I haven’t tried the others in the collection, but am drawn to Black Cedarwood & Juniper, associated with seductive, carnal midnight rain - interestingly, this one is already sold out online and the others are in short supply, so don’t hang about if you’re interested, as these are limited edition.

The Jo Malone London Rain Collection is available here.

What’s your favourite Jo Malone or Spring scent?

SHOP THE POST

House of Fraser SS14 Style Preview

I always feel like it’s a breath of fresh air to see Spring Summer collections hit stores, like we’re finally allowed to cast off our heavy Winter mantle, introduce brighter colours, lighter textures and feel the sun on our skin again. I recently had a sneak preview of House of Fraser’s SS14 collection and loved the mix of colours, neutral tones and textures. I thought I’d share a few favourites now that most of the new releases are available for you to check out in person.

I may have been back to House of Fraser Belfast for a closer look at the new collections - and spotted a few more new gems on my way…

   

I can’t find the layered Mint Velvet dress online yet, but it’s worth a look in-store, where it’s way more gorgeous than it appears here. I think it would look great with these Pied a Terre block heel sandals... I’ve been after an ankle strap pair in this style and like how the wooden heel makes these a little bit different. I didn’t have time to try them on that day but haven’t been able to stop thinking about them since, always a good sign... I'll be back.

Here are a few more beauties I’ve been daydreaming about adding to my wardrobe…
  
I think this Mint Velvet Black Circle Boxy Jacket (one of my favourite brands) would add a certain something to so many outfits…. it’s also available as a top and a dress in both black and a nude shade, for those who veer away from black in SS (I try but never manage to cut it out completely).  Ever since my recent green shoes purchase I’m really drawn to green stuff - and think this Whistles Tessa Sporty Crepe Top is super cute (not to mention a very forgiving shape). Ditto to the Modalu Green Cross Body Twiggy Bag, which I had to include as it’s exactly what I was looking for to match said green shoes last month *sob*. I think the Therapie Heart Print Blouse is a sweet way to wear monochrome and would look adorable either loose with slim Audrey-esque capri trousers (my holy grail - still searching) or tucked into a bright pencil skirt. I’m trying to be more grown up and get into the blouse thing (anti-ironing heckles)… I say this every year.

I’ll leave you with some great advice from Mary Portas - couldn't agree more!




It’s not often I do a fashion post, so please let me know if you’d like me to include them occasionally in future. I really enjoyed preparing this, though have a new found respect for my fellow fashion bloggers now that I have an inkling what’s involved!

SHOP THE POST

Toes out Time! Spring Series #3

If your post-Winter feet are more hobbit than Cinderella, then this one’s for you… a little bit of effort can turn them around and have them looking presentable again. The key is to do this now rather than waiting until it’s warm enough to present them to the world. If budget allows, my top advice is to start with a professional pedi and then maintain the results, but there’s plenty you can do at home.

If tough skin is an issue, you’ll need to start by tackling that with something stronger than a cream. I’m still using my favourites from last year, the Scholl  Instant Hard Skin Remover followed by the Scholl Dual Action Callus File, though am considering the Micro Pedi (please let  me know if you’ve tried & recommend!). Then go in with the creams… I have three options here depending on what level of emergency your feet are at!

Dry to extremely dry feet need a heavy duty cream, such as Burt Bees Coconut Foot Cream. This is a rich emollient, almost like thick honey in texture and rather gloopy, so it’s one for a proper pampering session - or better still an overnighter under thin cotton socks. Made with coconut, rosemary and peppermint oils, It smells divine and intensely nourishes the feet: use this every night for a week for baby soft results and then once weekly for maintenance.

Dry chapped heels ain’t gonna look pretty in strappy sandals, so get slathering them with Soap & Glory Heel Genius. Still deeply moisturising but lighter in texture, this slightly waxy cream absorbs quickly. If you want to apply a thick layer, then pop your feet up on a towel or cover up with cotton socks. Heel Genius contains macadamia oil, menthol, fruit extracts and fruit acid smoothers to tackle tough skin.

If you’ve been looking after your feet and just want to add a blast of citrus scented moisture and soothing ingredients, Weleda Foot Balm feels heavenly. This is a good one to apply just before your shoes to give skin a lovely sheen - or after you remove those strappy heels!

   

All of these produce great results for me - it’s just a matter of which one best suits your needs. I have also been known to use them on my hands when extra dry!

Are your feet sandal ready yet - and can you rec any other products worth a try? Please leave a comment below!

Space NK Got It:Want It (£10 off code)

It’s not every day that Space NK offers across the board discount, so with the chance to nab £10 off a £40 spend, I thought I’d offer a helping hand with a guide to my Top 5 Space NK Got It & Want It lists: products already in my stash, and those in my wish list, aka basket!

Got It

1. Laura Mercier Fresh Fig EDT here - the most complimented perfume I’ve ever worn, this skin scent is sexy, sultry and perfect for Summer.
2. Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush here - one of this year’s biggest launches, I can’t deny that I’m still hankering over Dim Light for days when I’m not in the Radiant Magenta zone. Essentially, this belongs in both Got It & Want It lists.
3. Nars Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base here - an eyeshadow primer that holds colour in place all day. I’m talking will.not.budge until removed.
4. Lipstick Queen Pinky Nude here - another long term staple, this moisturising, creamy nude is perfect for pretty, yet unobtrusive lips. Great with Spring make-up or a smokey eye.
5. Laura Mercier Foundation Primer Deluxe Travel size here - helps make-up apply more smoothly and stops it from wearing off so fast. This has been a staple in my stash for years and lasts so long that this cheaper travel size is a genius idea. I’d also like to try the Radiance version - let me know if you have & recommend adding to my Want It list!

Want It

1. Nars Creamy Concealer here - The Perfect Concealer is my holy grail. Find it and you need less of everything else is my theory. This one gets a lot of love and it’s time it became mine.
2. By Terry Ombre Blackstar here - I’ve been after this in the Bronze Moon shade for its acclaimed magic powers in creating a softly smokey, metallic eye - either as a liner or right over the lid. I’ve swooned over the swatches for long enough now…
3. Omorovicza Instant Plumping set here - This is truly the stuff of daydreams and ended up on my list as Space NK didn’t have the Queen of Hungary Mist on its own. This set includes minis of the Instant Plumping Cream & Gold Rescue Cream. Proper pampering.
4. Shu Uemura Eye Palette here - I’m loving these super wearable Spring shades for day to evening looks and know that Shu eye shadows are amazing quality.
5. Sarah Chapman Skinesis Overnight Facial here - this highly acclaimed cult skincare product has been on my wishlist for a while, for its ability to turn skin around as we sleep. Gotta get me some of that.

How could I forget? I’m gonna sneak another MUCH WANTED product onto this list: By Terry’s newest foundation and serum hybrid, Terrybly Densillis here.  Extortionately priced and shall most likely remain on the Want It list, but a girl can dream…

Use the code 'DISCOVER20' to receive £10 off when you spend more than £40 at Space NK until Wed 16 April 2014. Happy shopping - seeya at the till!

SHOP THE POST

Clarins Radiance Plus Golden Glow Booster

Finding the perfect facial self tan has always been a challenge and Clarins is the brand I tend to return to as I find their facial formulas don’t block pores, leave a greasy film or cause breakouts. If like me, you can add *not pale enough* to that list of challenges, then you’ll love Clarins’ latest self tanning release: Radiance Plus Golden Glow Booster - a truly prescriptive, ‘made to measure’ self tan for your face.

Here’s how it works… mix a drop or two, or a few, of golden liquid from this dinky little bottle into a blob of your current moisturiser (any brand), blend the two, apply to your face before bed, wake up with a golden glow. I prefer to do this at night so that the process doesn’t interfere with my make-up. It’s that easy!



Get Golden:

1. Put some of your regular moisturiser onto the back of your hand
2. Add a drop of Radiance Plus Golden Glow Booster (1 drop is enough to give me subtle warmth; 2 makes me look lightly tanned; I haven’t braved 3 yet!)
3. Blend the two products together
4. Massage into face and neck evenly, taking care to blend well around hairline and brows
5. Wash hands
6. Go to sleep and wake up looking lightly sunkissed.

 

I repeat this around twice a week, or any time I self tan my body, though will probably use it more in Summer. I love that the process can be adapted to suit any colouring at any time of year, genius little product. I also find that this works well on hands and feet, where I prefer to use a lighter colour for more realistic, streak-free results.  NB you press the rubber base of the bottle to release each drop.

The bottle is small because the contents are so concentrated - you can see how little mine has gone down after several weeks of use and I imagine this one will last me until the end of Summer.

Clarins Radiance Plus Golden Glow Booster rrp £18, currently on offer for £15.80 at Escentual.

Do you like the idea of this?

SHOP THE POST

Subtle Self Tanning: Spring Series #2

Another reason for the tanning and defuzzing in my Spring Mini Series #1 was making way for a perfect application of self tan. I don’t know about you, but I feel a heck of a lot better with a little bit of colour on my pasty limbs - and my first seasonal application of self tan gives me a real confidence boost. 

There are Rules when it comes to Spring tanning. We’re not talking a two week tropical holiday tan; we’re talking an is-she-or-isn’t-she golden whisper and a subtle healthy glow - yup I know tanning isn’t healthy, but a bit of colour makes me look and feel more healthy - fact. I’ve tried and tested many formulas and focused only on my top picks.

MOISTURISING: As far as moisturising goes, stick with your usual the night before tanning. Do this after exfoliating, but avoid freshly waxed or shaved limbs to reduce the risk of stinging or irritation. My current go-to for this is Origins Gloomaway Body Soufflé, which is super moisturising, sinks in quickly and lifts my spirits with its zingy grapefruit scent.

Immediately prior to tanning I either avoid body moisturiser completely or stick to a simple formula like Aveeno Cream - currently 1/3 off the lotion at Superdrug - I always have a bottle of this handy as it’s the best thing I’ve found to keep my little boy’s eczema at bay. I only use this on extra dry areas - feet, ankles, knees, elbows and hands.

BODY: I like my upper body to be lighter in colour than my legs, to avoid a dramatic difference between my face and body and have been enjoying a recent discovery by a tanning brand called Unreal, which specialises in pale skins. Unreal offers personalised tanning, in that you choose exactly how much DHA (tanning ingredient) is in the product, from 6% (very light) to 12%. I think this is a genius idea and chose 8% for a subtle colour, which is perfect for me. Overall, this is one of the best self tanning formulas I’ve tried - it’s so easy to use and gives an incredibly natural colour that won’t irritate sensitive skin. NB the Unreal tanning mitt is perfection - velvety smooth and doesn’t absorb too much product.

LEGS: On my legs I opted for St Tropez Self Tan Sensitive Bronzing Mousse. Mousse is my favourite tanning formula as I find it the smoothest and easiest to apply - and this was no exception. Again this gives me a lovely light golden glow, just a touch deeper than the Unreal, which is exactly what I was looking for. You can see pictures of me with both of these products applied here; despite the flash photography, you can see that I’m definitely not over-tanned.

WEAR: These two products wear well on me with no patchiness and are perfect for this time of year. I’ve tried both with two coats, which does give extra depth of colour, so they’ll carry me through until Summer when I reach for deeper formulas. If you’re a fan of gradual tan, there are lots of great options out there for all budgets, but Xen-Tan Transform is the one I keep coming back to for its perfect golden hue.

What’s your favourite self tan?

SHOP THE POST

Kiko Life in Rio Collection

KIKO’s Life in Rio collection is perfect for introducing a pop of colour to our make-up stash in time for Summer. The packaging and presentation of the products is so feel-good and I really like the gold as a change from their usual silver.

These are my personal favourites from the collection: a huge bronzer marbled with gold; peach blush laced with bronze and coral; the best budget nude lipstick I’ve tried and a taupe eye shadow pencil that smudges out beautifully for a quick smokey eye. Some people will love that the powder products smell very strongly of vanilla, especially the bronzer… I’m not a personal fan but it doesn’t linger post application.

From left: eye shadow pencils, liquid liners, lipsticks and at the top, blush & bronze.

  

This sunny orange nail polish is shot with gold and has a flash of fuchsia in some lights - you can see a hint of it in the bottom right hand corner of the bottle above. Can’t wait to wear this with a tan!

My top Life in Rio picks are the Exotic Shine nude pink lipstick and that gorgeous taupe eyeshadow pencil… I need to find out if KIKO do a regular eyeshadow in the same shade as I’ve been searching for this exact tone forever. I’ve really been enjoying the products and will instagram a pic of me wearing them in the next few days - you can follow me on Instagram here.

Life in Rio launches in the Oxford Street, Westfield stores and online this month.

Anything catch your eye?

Body Smooth: Spring Series #1

 

It’s the first warm day of the year… you consider flashing an ankle, wonder about baring a calf and glance down at neglected toes. Then you take a deep gulp and remember… said limbs have been enveloped in multiple layers for months… pasty, fuzzy, dryza bone. What’s a girl to do?

Hands up if you’ve been there? This is no time to faff about - we’re talking quick fixes. Welcome to the first of a mini series featuring speedy solutions as we prepare to bare. Take a deep breath - we can do this - first up, exfoliate and defuzz…

Exfoliate

I’ve written odes to fancy pants exfoliators on here before, but really - lovely as they are - it’s not essential to spend big bucks and today’s options all come in under a tenner. I’m not a fan of coarse exfoliators as I find them too harsh on my skin, so I’ve lined up three options which I’d class as superfine, fine and medium. 

Why do it? If you’re new to exfoliating, it’s all about applying slightly abrasive products to remove dry and dead cells from the surface of the skin. This leaves skin feeling instantly softer and smoother to the touch (so satisfying), enables moisturisers to absorb and function more efficiently, and ensures that self tan applies smoothly and evenly. More tips on the latter to follow in this series… 

Superfine - Smoothing Silk Polish, £8.00 is part of the Sanctuary Spa Sleep range and has a lovely relaxing scent thanks to Ylang Ylang, Frankincense and Patchouli. This is literally the finest, silkiest exfoliator I’ve tried. It’s really rich and moisturising with very fine grains set in sweet almond oil and shea butter, making it perfect for sensitive areas such as the décolleté area.

Fine - Argan 5+ Skin Renewal Body Scrub, £7.99 contains finely crushed olive stones and pumice in Moroccan Argan Oil, with four other nourishing oils to ensure that skin is well nourished as you scrub. The grains aren’t at all scratchy and like the other products I’ve tried in this range, its smells divine and feels more expensive than it is.

Medium - my main challenge in using Soap & Glory Breakfast Scrub, £8 is resisting the temptation to eat it. This smells so good! Sweet and caramelly but not sickly sweet (my pet hate). Although I’ve put this in the medium grain category it’s not at all harsh, but made with slightly bigger grains than the others and is my leg exfoliant of choice. This is thick and gloopy, whereas the others are liquid, so requires scooping out and slathering on, making me feel like a small child doing something I shouldn’t. (NB Mine is the old tub - the link leads to the new design, now part of the Smoothie Star range - pssst it’s also on 3 for 2!)

User Tips - I tend to use a finer exfoliant on my upper body, especially my décolleté, and a coarser one on my legs, but that’s just personal preference and I’m not suggesting that anyone needs to go out and buy two. All of these can be used on dry skin before you switch on the shower (If you choose to do this I recommend standing inside the shower, to avoid exfoliating the bathroom floor). I don’t normally dry exfoliate unless I have particularly dry patches on my ankles, knees and shins - as again I’m cautious of being too harsh with my skin. Oh and there’s no need to use extra pressure - gentle circular movements on damp skin work best - let the scrubs do the scrubbing!

 

Defuzz

Dead skin cells and flaky bits out of the way, it’s time to move onto hair removal, which can now be more easily, er… removed. I am a total and utter wuss with a pain threshold around minus 10, so pain free hair removal works best for me. I *will* get back into epilating once Summer arrives, but not until heat and sunshine make a regular appearance.

Lately I’ve been using Nad’s Sensitive Hair Removal Crème, which is really easy to use and doesn’t irritate the (sensitive) skin on my legs. I just apply an even layer with my hands, leave it for 10 mins and rinse off. It doesn’t smell good, but none of these formulas do. The little pink oval nestled into a groove on the front of the bottle is actually a removable sponge, which I thought was a bit of a gimmick until I tried it. The pink side is quite coarse and brilliant for removing every last stubborn hair that rinsing sometimes doesn’t catch.

This cream can also be used in other sensitive areas, so one bottle does all. I stick to a razor for underarms (sorry husband) as I don’t like standing with my arms in the air and have very little hair there anyway. NB if you’ve already tanned or need to defuzz daily, I wouldn’t use a hair removal cream as it may interfere with the colour. I only need to do this once a week, so it’s easy to combine with topping up self tan.

Let’s get smoothing… next up, moisturising and tanning!

This is the part when you leave a comment to tell me you’ve already done all of the above and I’m the only one still hiding her ankles…

Too Faced Melted: Coral & Nude

 

Too Faced Melted Liquified Long Wear Lipsticks launch late April. It’s great to see brands coming up very wearable liquid lipstick formulas - nothing to be scared of here as these swipe on easily and pack a well pigmented pop of creamy colour. The colours match the tubes exactly, making them easy to identify if you choose to collect a few!

The two colours I have to test are Nude and Coral. Nude is a tan shade which doesn’t suit my pale complexion, but I’m loving Coral. This is a bright orangey coral, perfect for those who fancy an orange lip that isn’t too in your face. I find that these work best applied in two thin layers… the product is released by squeezing the tube gently and the velvety, angled applicator is easy to use. The finish is semi matte with a little bit of slip; these don’t completely set on my lips. On me, they last longer than a regular lipstick, but don’t stain my lips or last as long as the likes of Bourjois Rouge Velvet. On the plus side, this means I can wear them more regularly, as the formula doesn’t dry out my lips - and I’d be happy to whip out that cute packaging anywhere!

Too Faced Melted, rrp £19 will be available in 6 shades at Debenhams from 21 April 2014.

Are you a liquid lipstick lover?